South Bend officers anticipate first roll call

Four new police officers sworn in.

Four new police officers sworn in.

June 13, 2007|SARAH MICHALOS Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND For Kelly Hibbs, the third time was the charm. The 27-year-old was officially sworn in as a South Bend police officer last week after his third and final attempt to earn a badge. Hibbs, along with Blake Paturalski, Anthony Dawson and Rufino Gayton Jr., took his oath at this week's Board of Public Safety meeting. "I'm excited about getting out on the street and getting to work," said Hibbs, who, along with the others, starts next week. "We had a little get-together last night and I was given a doughnut (as a joke); that was real nice." Paturalski was also congratulated for finishing his academy training and said he always knew he wanted to go into law enforcement. "I wanted to help people, and I thought this would let me do that on a day-to-day basis," said Paturalski, the first person in his family to become an officer. When asked whether he was excited about starting his job later this month, Paturalski enthusiastically answered, "Yes." Another officer is looking forward to working in South Bend after spending two years with the Marion Police Department. "I'm more excited about my first day as a South Bend officer than I was my first day being an officer," Dawson said. "I love it." Dawson said being an officer is a tradition in his family; both his father and brother are officers for his hometown department, Mishawaka. "My favorite part is the interaction with people; there's something new every day," he said. "It's good to be back in my hometown making a difference there." Also hoping to help the community is Gayton, who spent six years in the Marines before being sworn in as an officer. He's felt a pull toward law enforcement since late high school and says he wants to be a positive role model. "I just want to learn everything that we're supposed to be doing, and do what I can to help the city."Staff writer Sarah Michalos: smichalos@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6137